Originally Posted by Wing819
Sounds like you want to invest in a company that's about to go public.. you are probably thinking about IPO (Initial Public Offer).
As some one has stated, IPO shares are pretty hard to get for the general public. The company usually reserve a fair amount of IPOs to its i-bankers and underwriters (ML, Goldman, Lehman...etc)...
re: Stock Options are publicly traded too. Of course, Companies do offer stock options to its employees, usually mgmt, but there are some that offer to its rank-and-file folks. (and of course, its free).
stock options are not publically traded. Options are publically traded.
stock optoin = the company you are working for is giving you the option to buy the company stocks of XXXX share at y dollars
Options trading is you own XXX shares of stock at Z comnpany and you sell the option to buy your shares at Y dollars.